If I loved you

I want to give you my everything

The alarm went off just around 9. New woke up with a start and looked at me with a daze.

'It's 9.' I said helplessly.

'Oh! Then....I need to hurry up...'

'Wait a moment.' Before he could get up I grabbed his hand tightly.

'I need to get ready Tay...' He was fumbling with his shoes.

I took out a small pouch from my pocket. I was thinking about giving it to him for many days now but I think today is the time.

'Here. Take this.'

'Tay!'

'Take it.'

'I can't! Mrs Jones gave this to you especially. Why are you....! Put it away. I don't want it.'

Two years ago our old head Mrs Jones arranged a Christmas party for us and she gave out gifts to all children. These trinkets are all from her personal belongings. New got a ring and I got a pendant. We both cherished these things because after a few months she suddenly passed away. We loved her very much and were sad for many days. After her demise we started to face actual hurdles in life.

'For my peace of mind. Please..' I forcefully stuffed that pendant and chain in his hand.

'Why...?' He was looking at me strangely.

I don't know. I don't know why but.....

'I want you to have it. No reason.'

'Then.....' He stared at me for sometime and then went to open his bag. He pulled out a wooden box similar to mine, which he gave me years ago.

'Here. Take this.' He gave me a similar small pouch. I opened it and found a ring inside.

'Keep it with you.'

'New....'

'For my peace of mind.' He smiled softly.

'Mn.' I took it without further hesitation. I will keep this with me forever.

I was thinking about this when suddenly a pair of warm hands wrapped me completely.

New was hugging me. I was so surprised that couldn't even lift my arms and hug him back. When I came back to my senses he already left.

.......................................

I had to wait for 9 days before I could see him again. And when he came back injured, I finally snapped.

'Are you going to tell me what happened or do you want me to go and ask that asshole myself?' I let him come inside and held the door.

'Stop! Someone might hear you!' He slapped away my hand and closed the door silently.

New was not only injured but he was mentally shaken.

'What was the job this time?' I asked.

'Nothing special.' He mumbled.

'How did you get injured?'

'Just some minor altercation.' He was limping.

I grabbed his arm and spun him around.

'Have you thought about my plan? About running away from here?'

'This is not the right time....'

'You are not telling me about your job out there, you are not interested in running away from here......you ditched school three times already because of your injuries......do you want to be a full time gang member just like them?' I angrily kicked the bed.